Christian
service is the most joyful one! It is the joy of a harvester or that of a father
when his lost son is found!

Job
satisfaction is highest in Christian service! Perfect freedom, team work and
loving fellowship!

No
bossing of an ungodly officer, but encourgement and support from godly and
unselfish leaders!

What
is your taste and talent? You have jobs just suitable in the Lordís vineyard.

Are
you interested in literature? You can become a Bible translator. There are
nearly 200 languages in India without the Bible.

Are
you good in music? You will be an asset to any evangelistic team!

Are
you a doctor? Oh how many medical missionaries are needed!

Computer
programmers are wanted.

David
Livingstone was an explorer and he went as a missionary. C. T. Studd
was a famous cricketer and he took up missionary service. Wllliam Carey was a
shoemaker and he became a Bible translator. These and thousands of men all over
the world found serving the Lord adventurous and satisfying.

Women
are no exception. We still need Mary Slessors, Ida Scudders and Pandit Ramabais.
There were women in the evangelistic teams of Jesus and Paul (Lk 8:1-5; Phil
4:3).

Several
single missionaries are seeking life partners who will share the same vision. If
you are a young man or young woman with a missionary burden, what is wrong in
writing to trusted leaders of Missions to find you a missionary as a life
partner?

Donít
worry if you have no experience or Bible training. Most of the Missions have
short-term training courses for cross-cultural evangelism or Bible translation.

If
you feel you must have a systematic theological education before you enter the
ministry, apply to one of the sound evangelical colleges in the country. Beware
of joining any liberal college.

Donít
think a trip to the West is the best. True there are many good colleges there
but the casuality rate is quite high among the Indian students who go overseas
for Bible training. Many lose their original vision. Several of them settle
there.

I
hear someone say, "I will serve the Lord fulltime after I retire from my
secular job!" After you retire you will need people to serve you!

Missionary
work involves walking, bicycling, travel and so on. Give the best part of your
life to the Lord. "Serve the Lord with all your strength!"

"But
there are so many who have not heard the Gospel in my own place," you say.
Donít worry. There will be always enough of people who stay back! Leave that
job to them.

"How
about the material needs of me and my family?" Itís a good question. If
you can trust a government or a company, you can always trust God ! The Lord has
said, "Those who preach the Gospel should live from the Gospel" (1 Cor
9:14).

God
who fed Elijah even in the worst famine is alive today. He desires the
prosperity of His servants (Psa 35:27).

You
may not become rich in material goods. But God will give you "people for
your life" (Isa 43:4).

"But
how can I leave my people and native place?" Abraham left his "fatherís
house" and so he could become a blessing to "all the families of the
earth" (Gen 12:1,2). Missionaries from the West left their comforts and
homes and brought the Gospel to us. If they had not come, you and I today would
be kissing an idol. Is it not now your turn to carry the torch to the people in
darkness?

"How
about my childrenís education?" If there is not a good school where you
go, you can always leave them in residential schools, especially the ones meant
for missionariesí children.

So
many parents leave their children in India and go overseas to earn moreógold
and silver. Can we do less for God and souls?

"Seek
first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you" (Mt
6:33).

"I
am afraid I may not hold on to the end," you say. Perhaps you have met some
casualties or failures. This is the devilís trick. Why look at Judas Iscariot?
Eleven out of twelve made it! Thatís a good percentage, isnít it?

Some
pastors are missionary-minded. Thank God for them. But others would pour cold
water on the fiery zeal of their youngsters. They are afraid of losing some of
their active members. Be wise!

Some
missionary reports are filled with stories of lions and bears. Donít be
chilled! Be thrilled! It is good to go out to see some of them! "I will be
with you always"óThis promise of Jesus is only to those who
"go" (Mt 28:19,20).

"But
should I not be called?" Yes, you must not go without a call! Dr. Christian
Weiss speaks of the fourfold calló

One
is the call from the world within you. There is a growing dissatisfaction
over your present job and a growing desire to do more for the Lord

Secondly
there is the call from the world around you. Millions and millions of
people are without the gospel. The harvest is getting wasted without sufficient
reapers.

Thirdly
the call from the world under you. Think of the countless millions who
are dead and gone to a Christless eternity. They are crying like the rich man
from hell to send Lazarus to preach the gospel to his relatives (Lk 16:27,28).

Finally
the call from the world above. Godís Spirit moves and directs you. He
gives you an inward urge and uses the Scripture and the circumstances to confirm
you are called.